Beyond the Classroom

Originally published in the spring 2025 edition of House Matters. Read the full publication here.

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Lauren Bodenheimer embodies Kofi Annan’s belief that “you are never too young to lead.” A 16-year-old junior at Reynolds High School, Lauren is a dedicated Family House volunteer who has served guest meals, assisted chef teams at Men Who Cook, and organized donation drives in her community.

Lauren’s journey with the Family House began in seventh grade through Teens in the House, an annual service-learning program for middle and high school students. From that first summer, she took the initiative to remain involved, making volunteering a meaningful part of both her personal and academic life.

As a Crosby Scholar, Lauren is encouraged to engage with her community, as service is a cornerstone of the college preparatory program. Her favorite way to contribute is by leading donation drives benefiting the Family House, often rallying her peers to participate.

“I’ve been able to involve other students at my high school and also give back to the Family House,” Lauren reflects. “I’ve seen so many good things people do for the Family House when I’ve been there, so I want to help contribute.”

“To be able to volunteer and give back, I’ve seen great things happen and I’m really lucky to be a part of it.”

For Lauren, volunteering is more than just a requirement—it’s a deeply personal commitment to making a difference.

“When I was younger I didn’t really understand how important organizations like the Family House are,” she says. “Whenever I did Teens in the House I was able to see the impact that people had on others’ lives. To be able to volunteer and give back, I’ve seen great things happen and I’m really lucky to be a part of it.”

As she contemplates her options for pursuing an engineering degree after high school, she knows she will be looking for a school that will allow her to continue serving others.

“One of the things I’m looking for is somewhere that has a lot of student involvement with organizations in the community,” says Lauren. “I really want to continue to make an impact wherever I end up going.”

With her dedication and leadership, there’s no doubt that Lauren will continue to inspire others and make a difference for years to come.

Lauren Bodenheimer (left) at Men Who Cook 2023 (provided by Lauren Bodenheimer)